Bobby Bowden's faith remains strong

Bobby Bowden has never been concerned about being politically correct.

He'd rather be spiritually correct.

That, in part, is one reason why the former Florida State football coach and winningest coach in Division I history collaborated with son Steve to write his latest book, "The Wisdom of Faith."

Faith continues to make a positive and powerful impact on Bowden's 84-year-old life, one that he quips is in the fourth quarter.

The scoreboard clock continues to tick, and Bowden wants to make sure people realize there is so much more to life than football.

He believes he has captured his life's message in the book's pages and is excited to share his belief in God and God's mercy.

"The thing that has been the biggest factor probably in getting me through my life has been my faith," said Bowden, who first shared his testimony at age 23.

Bowden hasn't stopped believing.

Or stopped at all.

Bowden arrived in New York City on Tuesday and will be at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut, later this week for an additional series of interviews to promote his book.

He plans to return to Tallahassee and the golf course on Friday and settle into his recliner to watch top-ranked Florida State's televised season opener against Oklahoma State at AT&T Stadium in Texas, on Saturday.

While Bowden doesn't plan to attend any additional FSU home games – he showed for a pair last season – he watches and reads all he can on Coach Jimbo Fisher's Seminoles.

The reigning national champions have been tabbed a double-digit favorite in every regular-season game and many believe they will repeat as national title winners.

"They are good, they are really good," Bowden said, adding that one key to the program's continued success is not being overcome by the sweet smell of success/entitlement that is being splashed on by an adoring public.

"It (perfume) is good for you as long as you don't drink it."

Bowden certainly understands the challenges of coaching, dealing with expectations and handling wins and losses after 57 years (34 at FSU) on the coaching sidelines.

While Bowden's book doesn't focus on football, or his pair of national championships at FSU, he takes those experiences and others in his life to deliver a genuine, heartfelt look at how faith has shaped his soul.

Bowden's years haven't all been a bed of roses.

His family has dealt with tragedy, losing two grandsons and a former son-in-law in automobile accidents. West Virginia fans wanted to run him out of the state in the winter of 1974 after a 4-7 season, his lone losing season as a coach.

And, of course, in a poorly-executed exit plan, Bowden was forced into retirement at FSU after the 2009 season. Faith makes things possible, not easy.

"I have lost faith in certain people, but never in God," Bowden said.

"And I am sure people have lost faith in me, in things I have done and things I have said. But, in the end, I have relied on my faith and the belief there's something stronger out there."

In his book, Bowden covers character lessons, including fear, trust, courage, humility, suffering and love.

Relying on his coaching experiences, Bowden explains that success is, at times, determined by how challenges are handled.

Bowden believes the answer to those problems is faith based.

"All of us through life are going to have hardships, all of us through life are going to have problems," Bowden explained. "You either have a problem or just had one. And if you don't have one you are fixing to have one. You better get ready.

"That's what life is about."

Bowden added that he and wife Ann read the Bible each morning - Bowden says he is reading the collection of text sacred in Christianity, from start to finish, for the third time in his life.